Round 16: Albion v Bishop's Stortford
By Dark Prophet
January 17 2025
Albion should get the 2025 part of this season's campaign going with the visit of Hertfordshire's Bishops Stortford.
Currently Albion occupy 6th place in the league, 3 places and 8 points above the day's opposition. In the reverse fixture in September, Albion had a convincing 20-39 win. Out of their last 5 fixtures, Stortford have won 3, with the wins coming against teams at the lower end of the league. Their two most recent games were losses against mid table sides. Dings & Blackheath.
Both sides have a similar scoring pattern but with Albion edging it amongst the forwards, and BP amongst the backs. However, Stortford have shown a little bit more vulnerability to conceding through the backs especially out wide. Also, Stortford do not seem to show consistency throughout the game by starting each half well, but fading towards the ends of each half.
Referee - Adam Wookey - A regular around Nat 1 this season, Mr Wookey has issued 17 cards in 12 games, quite a high rate, but all yellow, and mostly to the away side. This could be of concern to Stortford who have collected 15 cards this season, two of which were red. Notably, former Albion player, Dan Powell, was presented with one of those reds during the match against Albion earlier in the season.
Albion will be looking to weather an initial storm by Stortford before taking control of the game through the forwards. By maintaining pressure they will seek to make Stortford to give away penalties and incur harsher sanctions from the referee. Threats will come from along Stortford's back line, which will require solid defence from Albion.
Player to watch: Tom Mills - a utility back who usually starts on the Wing. Tom has scored 5 tries this season
Weather: Dry but overcast with a light breeze blowing from the direction of the Stormforce Marquee. It will feel a cold with 'feels like' temperature of 3°.
Prediction: 5 point win for Albion, possible LBP for Stortford.
Other games of note:
Blackheath v Birmingham Moseley. Sitting in 5th and 7th respectively, Blackheath and Moseley straddle Albion in the league. A win for Mose would give Albion an opportunity to move above Blackheath, whereas a win for Blackheath would help Albion increase the margin to Mose, who have 2 games in hand.